Residential construction

The most popular method of residential construction in North America is wood-framed construction. Typical construction steps for a single-family or small multi-family house are:

  • Obtain an engineered soil test of lot where construction is planned
  • Develop floor plans and obtain a materials list for estimations (more recently performed with estimating software)
  • Obtain structural engineered plans for foundation (soil test report obtained earlier will be used by engineer to design foundation), floor plan, floor (if two story).
  • Obtain lot survey
  • Obtain government building approval if necessary
  • If required obtain approval from HOA (homeowners association) or ARC (architectural review committee)
  • Clear the building site (demolition of existing home if necessary)
  • Survey to stake out for the foundation
  • Excavate the foundation and dig footers (Scope of work is dependent of foundation designed by engineer)
  • Install plumbing grounds
  • Pour a foundation and footers with concrete
  • Build the main load-bearing structure out of thick pieces of wood and possibly metal I-beams for large spans with few supports. See framing (construction)
  • Add floor and ceiling joists and install subfloor panels
  • Cover outer walls and roof in OSB or plywood and a water-resistive barrier.
  • Install roof shingles or other covering for flat roof
  • Cover the walls with siding, typically vinyl, wood, or brick veneer but possibly stone or other materials
  • Install windows
  • Frame interior walls with wooden 2x4s
  • Add internal plumbing, HVAC, electrical, and natural gas utilities
  • Building inspector visits if necessary to approve utilities and framing
  • Install insulation and interior drywall panels (cementboard for wet areas) and to complete walls and ceilings
  • Install bathroom fixtures
  • Spackle, prime, and paint interior walls and ceilings
  • Additional tiling on top of cementboard for wet areas, such as the bathroom and kitchen backsplash
  • Install final floor covering, such as floor tile, carpet, or wood flooring
  • Install major appliances
  • Unless the original owners are building the house, at this point it is typically sold or rented

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